Renegades release safety guidelines for season

Saturday

May 9, 2020 at 8:41 PM

While the fate of the Minor League Baseball season remains undetermined, the Hudson Valley Renegades are preparing as though it will happen.

And if the 'Gades get the go-ahead to play ball, the organization plans to operate in ways that put safety first, as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Earlier this week, the team released a best practices plan to keep fans, players and personnel safe at games.

“The word ‘normal’ has taken on a new meaning these days, and we’re quick to acknowledge that fact,” Renegades president and general manager Steve Gliner said. “We are looking at every facet of our operation and are preparing to operate and entertain fans in a manner where they will feel safe when they come to a Renegades game at Dutchess Stadium.”

Some of the "new normal" guidelines include no autographs from the players for fans, a closure of the kid's area at Dutchess Stadium and guests throwing out ceremonial first pitches to family members instead of the Renegades players.

The New York-Penn League season is scheduled to begin June 18, with the Renegades opening in Aberdeen. Hudson Valley is scheduled to open at home in Fishkill six days later, hosting the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Despite the different fan experience it would bring — and the lingering possibility the season gets cancelled — the Renegades remain hopeful. Their best practices plan, which adheres to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health, includes:

Cashless payment, including for parking, at concessions, at the ticket booth and the merchandise stands, to limit contact between guests and ballpark employees.

Limited tickets sold for each game, to allow for social distancing protocols. Rows and seats will be vacant, while group hospitality areas will operate with reduced capacity.

Increased sanitation, including washdowns of the premises; the use of disinfectant spray on no-wipe surfaces of the stadium and touchless hand sanitizing stations for guests and employees. The Renegades are also considering using disinfectant foggers in enclosed areas and are exploring hiring a third-party cleaning company to help with efforts.

Temperature checks for all employees and interns, and all employees that face fans must be wearing protective masks and gloves. Employees would also be prohibited from shaking hands with guests and other employees, and not permitted to engage in physical contact with guests or other employees. When handing items to fans, employees must be wearing gloves. Employees must also change gloves throughout their shifts and would be required to wash their hands frequently.

Cleanliness in the home and visiting clubhouses, with access likely prohibited to media and front office personnel. Food in the clubhouse will be buffet style, with utensils pre-packaged, and limitations would be placed on commonly spit food items, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and gum. The team would follow Major League Baseball travel guidelines, as well as guidelines for fan and media interaction.

Patrons would be subject to health screenings prior to entry of Dutchess Stadium. The Renegades would work with local law enforcement agencies to ensure appropriate social distancing on sidewalks and walkways.

Additional stadium gates would be opened to create more space for patrons as applicable, and markers would be put in to promote social distancing for customers in lines.

Select ticket windows would be closed, and printed tickets would only be used when necessary; guests would be urged to print tickets at home and use mobile tickets. Season ticket holders would have the option of contactless ticket distribution; exchanges or additional tickets requests can be handled over the phone or online.

The kid’s area would be closed, and other attractions that allow social distancing would be subject to heightened safety measures, including disinfecting between users and proper distancing in line.

Concourses would be separated, and one-way traffic would be enforced to maintain appropriate distancing. Spacing markers would be put in place for customers waiting in lines.

In rainstorms, the club would expand access to covered areas to ensure proper distancing.

Restroom doors would be propped open, for touchless entry and exit, and would regularly and comprehensively be sanitized. The Renegades are also exploring enhancements, such as motion-sensor machines, and every other sink and urinal would be disabled to ensure proper distancing.

The number of people allowed in the team store would be limited, with markers put in place to promote proper distancing.

Autograph sessions with the players would not be permitted, and players would not be allowed to throw baseballs or other items to fans.

Ceremonial first pitches would be conducted with heightened restrictions, such as proper distancing, wearing protective gloves and masks and tossing the ball to a family member, instead of a player. The national anthem singer’s microphone would be protected by a sneeze guard.

The Renegades will work with medical partners to implement stringent protocols for medical services at Dutchess Stadium.

Employees handling food and beverages would be required to wear masks and gloves, and additional staff positions would be hired to disinfect surfaces before, during and after games. Employees would also serve fans from buffet-style condiment stations, as opposed to communal stations.

Signage would be posted around the stadium promoting social distancing and cleanliness; video messages promoting best health practices would also be played.

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